Control



March 29, 1938.

N. c. PRICE CONTROL Filed April 10, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l PIE LE N- C. PRICE CONTROL March 29, 193s.

Filed April lO, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheefl 2 F1|5 :3 F15-E- March 29, 193s. N. c, PRICE 72,112,750

CONTROL Filed April 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet, 3

PF'IE ll l Mir INVENTOR,

March 29, 1938. N. c. PRICE 2,112,750

CONTROL Filed April 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet '4 Patented Mar.' 29, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to a new method of controlling the ow of .fluids through conduits or tubes. It is of especial value in the regulation of the flow of feed liquid to forced circulation or series tube boilers in order at all times to maintain the boiler uid conditions from the feed inlet to the discharge outlet vat the most advantageous state, pressure,a` d temperature. It also serves'to prevent disturbi uncontrolled cycles of pressure and temperature uctuation in the fluid at the boiler outlet.

My invention is of further particular value for controlling the flow of thermally related uids in heat exchangers and condensers to effect desired regulation of the heat transfer and physical state of the fluids therein.

Generally, my invention provides a new method of regulating the iiow of fluids through conduits in relation to certain qualities of the uids at one or more points. It is of value in correlating the iiow and thermal conditions of iiuids in separate conduits, as Well.

In order to accomplish this new method of control, the system of my invention is caused to deliver heat to the fluids under control. This heat is preferably produced by a supply of electric energy to an electrical resistance element. The ow of current throughthe element during the particular thermal relationship between the fluid and the element is used to govern the rate at which the feed fluid is supplied.

The object of my invention is to provide a method of controllingthe admission of fluids into conduits which is accurate in regard to its function of relating the ow within the conduit to other conditions within the conduit.

Itis also the olbject of my invention to estab-- lish and maintain certain thermal and ow relationships between fluids in different conduits through regulation of the means for forcing these uids -into the conduits.

It is furthermore the object of my invention to provide a mechanism which by its` mode of action can be made to control the flow of feed iluids in any relative diiferential degree of re- (Cl. 12B- 448) circulation boilers, condensers, regenerative powerplant feed heaters, and for coordinating generators of different working fluids in binary or multicycle powerplants.

In Figure 1 I have shown a diagrammatical 5 representation of my control system. Figure 2 represents a diagrammatical section of another form of the electrical resistance element used in my control. Figure 3 shows a section of another preferred form gf resistance element. Figure 4 l0 represents a section of a modied form of this resistance element. Figure 5 shows a further modified form ofthe resistance element. Figure 6 represents a vertical section of a preferred form, and Figure 7 a plan section of the element. l5, Figure 8 shows a section through a resistance I element of my control system for regulation of the relative iiow of three uids. vFigure 9 represents a plan section of Figure 8. Figure 10 ilvlustrates in section an electrical control valve for feed water flow which may be used in conjunction with the system of my invention. Figure 11 shows a specimen environment for the control system of my invention in a. steam power plant. Figure 12 shows a section of an electrically con- '25 trolled air damper.v Figure 13 represents a section of a fuel,control nozzle. Figure 14 shows diagrammatically a utilization of the method of my inventionas an indicator for conditions in a container. i

In Figure 1 is illustrated one preferred embodiment of my invention. In this example an electrical resistance plug comprises a body |00 screwed into a conduit ||1 for a uid, an electrical insulator |0| clamped into the body, an 35 electric binding post |02 projecting through and retained by the insulator, and a metallic wire electrical resistance element |03 immersed in the uid in the conduit. The element provides an electrical path for grounding out currentlfrom the binding post. A

An inlet H6 for feed'iiuijd being forced into `the' conduit is tted withv a flow control valve 02 to vary the ilow oi' the feed uid.

An electrical -solenoid |01 operates the iiow 45 control valve 52 in accordance with the current passing through it `along a lead |08 from 4a grounded'storage battery |04 or other source of electrical energy such as a generator. V'.l'he current which is grounded in the element y|03 by way 50 of a lead |09 and the binding post |03 actuates the velectrical solenoid |01. Current passing `through the-.electrical element |03 liberates vheat approximately' in accordance with the square of the -current andthe iirst l' power of the resistance ofthe element.

heat is imparted to the uid adjacent to the electrical resistance element. The resistance of the element |03 varies in relation to the tempera- 5 ture which the element has assumed.

In Figure is illustrated in a larger scale section the flow control valve 52 and the solenoid |01 which I prefer' to use for the regulation of the flow of liquids, particularly feed-water. This 10 valve comprises a body |05 in circuit with the tube ||1 through which the liquid to be controlled flows. A valve seat |43 and a cylindrical valve |40 are placed in the main line of flow of the inletl liquid and are capable of shutting down the flow to any predetermined degree in accordance with the position of the valve |40. 'I'his valve is closely fitted for axial movement in a hollow cap |25 which forms a chamber |26 above the end of the valve |40. An orifice |21 connects the chamber |26 with a chamber |28. A duct ||5 from chamber |20 to the inlet IIB is regulated in opening by a stem ||2. This stem is formed as a projection on an iron plunger I3 and may be caused to uncover the duct ||5 by 25 the electro-magnetic action in a solenoid core.

|34 or may be returned to its seat forcibly by a coil spring |33. A solenoid coil ||4 in a casing |20 magnetizes the core |34 when energized with current. Terminals ||0 and Il! are provided for connection to the solenoid coil.

'Ihe action of .this electric control valve is as follows: When the solenoid has become sumciently energized with current the spring |33 is compressed, thereby causing the stem I2 to rise oi the duct ||5. The chambers |20 and |26 then assume the same pressure existing in the inlet I6. Since the fluid in the inlet is at a slightly higher pressure than that in the tube ||1, .the valve |40 drops to the seat |43 cutting l 40 oil? the flow. The cross-sectional area of the valve on seat |43 is less than that enclosed in the cap |25, therefore the valve 40 remains tightly seated.

A reduction of current flow in the solenoid |01 45 causes the seating of the stem ||2 on the duct ||5. The pressure in the tube ||1 is thereby wholly `or partly restored to the chamber |20 and the chamber |20. The pressure in the inlet ||6 acts upon the valve |40 to wholly or partly Open it.

Factors upon which the temperature of the y element |03 in Fig. 1 depends are: the conductivity of the fluid to heat transmission, the specific heat and heat of change of state which 5 5 may be imparted to Y'the fluid to produce a resultant'temperature rise and'change of state in the fluid, the speed with which the kfluid passes the element thereby carrying heat away from it, and the temperature of the fluidadjacent to it in theconduit. At common rates of flow 'convection heat is carriedya'iway fromthe'electrical element by mov- 'ing waterj in' a conduit-asa function of about the .8 powerjf'of the"'velocity. This'function isin liquid. .siate am ,in the, gaseous spec einst-bimba nulas is' greater in temperature 4 linid'tolbhale, to' vapor gffjthat 75 uqmdit sbzfiticarpressure, hiedra. vapori,

This

zation must be added although the temperature of both fluids may remain the same during the process.

During thermal decomposition or chemical change in a ud, heat may be either absorbed. 5 or liberated by the fluid. In one use of the control shown in Figure 1, a feed fluid of constant temperature and of unchanging state is forced into .the inlet ||6 and caused to flow along the conduit ||1 past the element |03 which is re- 10 ceiving current through the electrical mechanism |01. The delivery o f a constant rate of supply of feed liquid from a centrifugal pump to the inlet of a series tube boiler operated at a predetermined constant output, constitutes such 15 an application. A change of rate of flow of the conduit fluid will produce a change in the rate at which heat is being carried away from the element. This results in a variation of the temperature'of the element, a. consequent change of 20 its resistance to electrical iiow, a. decrease or increase of the amount of current being grounded out through the element, and a subsequent readjustment in the flow control valve 52 to counteract the above mentioned changes and to 25 restore .the fluid passing the resistance element to its original rate of flow. 'I'herefore this particular application of my invention may serve to maintain constancy of the rate of flow of fluid through the conduit. 30

If now, the temperature of the feed fluid entering the inlet ||6 will be varied before reaching the resistance element |03, the heat transmission from the element to `the iluid is altered thereby, so that a new .type of regulation of theiiow con- 35 trol valve 52 results. This temperature variation acts upon the element to either increase or decrease the flow of feed liquid in order to maintain approximately a desired fluid temperature at the region of thermal contact between the 40 resistance element and the conduit iiuid.

In another case, if a feed fluid which undergoes thermal decomposition or change of state t while passing through the conduit will be introduced into the inlet H6, a location of the re- 45 sistance element |03 at or adjacent to the critical region of change permits the element to be sensible to the degree of change which has taken place at that zone. This sensibility is a result of the change of heat transfer rate from the-ele- 50 ment .to the fluid when the change of state takes place and may be used in its action upon theA control valve 52 to approximately hold the region of change to a certain desired point in the conduit. 55

When the thermal qualities of the iiuid in the conduit vary greatly as ay result of transition of the fluid therein from one state to another, the effect of temperature or rate of ow of the fluid passing the resistance element may become com- 00 paratively negligible. A-

The manner in which the resistance element |03 protrudes into the conduit fluid or is recessed away fromit also determines the relative extent of effect of the aforementioned factors upon the 05 element |03'. f 'f y A further point to be mentioned regarding the modeI oi' operation of the device of my invention as revealed in Figure l is that since anyv desired amount of heat may be produced in the resistvance element according to its size, resistance, rand impressed voltage, fthe electrical element itself may be used .to'produce'a localized change of state inthe conduit fluid adjacent to it.. 'I'he resistance element 'then indirectly reacts tothe 75 amount of heat which must be added to .the fluid at that region of the conduit in order to accomplish this change of state, and may be utilized in flow control to keep thel conduit fluid 'as a whole within a certain range from that particular change of state.

In Figure 2 is shown a modification of the resistance element of my control system, having sensibility to the same fluid qualities which have been mentioned in the description of the device as illustrated in Figure l, but producing a somewhat diierent eiect upon an electrical circuit, as changes occur in the fluid surrounding it.

A body |20 screwed into the conduit encloses an insulator |2| which retains a binding post |22 terminating in an electrode |23. The electrode |23 projects into the interior of a metal capsule U24 welded or otherwise hermetically sealed to the body |20. 'I'he capsule contains an appropriate iiuid such as mercury which may be caused to change state and electrical resistance properties due to imposed thermal conditions.

Fluid change of state from a liquid to a vapor, or viceversa, at a certain temperature within the capsule, makes possible an abrupt and critical change in the conductivity between the electrode and the capsule even though adjacent uid conditions in the conduit have varied to a relatively small extent. v

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a further modification of the resistance element of my control system. This device retains the sensibilities ascribed to the element shown in Figure 1, and in addition is directly responsive to the conduit iiuid pressure adjacent to it. This further modication of my invention may be used to regulate the iiow of feed liuid as a direct function of and to any desired degree of differential eect of each of the iiuid qualities mentioned so far.

A body .i l mounted in the conduit lll encloses an' insulator EN which retains a binding post H2 connected to a preferably laminar electrical resistance element M3 of carbon. An elastic metal capsule H4 sealed to the body H0 houses the resistance element and acts as an electrical ground. Deformation of the elastic capsule by fluid pressure in the conduit is physically resisted by the element H3. The opposing pressure within the element H3 causeschange of its electrical resistance. Likewise the thermal effect of a uid adjacent to the element H3 further varies its electrical resistance. The eiect upon the amount of current being grounded out in the element by its change in resistance may be used to maintain any desired relative uid conditions in the conduit adjacent to the device of my invention.

In Figure 4 another preferred embodiment of the resistance element is presented. A body |90 attached to the conduit retains a binding post I 9| and a metal bellows |95 in an electrical insulator |92. conduit ||7 and contains a compressible electrically resistant fluid; preferably lmercury vapor. Compression of the bellows by the uid in the conduit Hlcauses a contact |94 on the inner surface of the bellows to approach or meet a contact |93 on the end of the binding post |9|. In order that current passing through the electrical mechanism |01 may reach ythe ground it must first ow along the lead |09 into the, binding DOst |9| through the fluid in the bellows, or through the contacts |93 and |94, to the bellows, and thence through the uid in the conduit to the walls oi the conduit The bellows extend into the fluid in.

This modified device retains the sensitivities ascribed to the device illustrated in Figure 3 and in addition is directly responsive to the electrical conductivity of the conduit uid adjacent to it.

Furthermore this device shown in Figure 4 contains within its capsule a sealed fluid which, due to thermal conditions, may vary its pressure, expanding or contracting the bellows and so changing the distance between the contacts |93 and |94.

A still further modied form of the resistance' element of my invention is illustrated in Figure 5. It comprises a body 250 screwed into the conduit H7, said body enclosing an electrical insulator 25| which surrounds a binding post 252, one end of which terminates in a bimetallic element 253 and electrical contact 254. Sealed to the Ibody is an elastic metal capsule 256 with a contact 255 on its inner surface opposite the contact 254. Within the capsule is an elastic fluid, such as mercury vapor, -of electrical resistive properties varying with change of its temperature. Y,

Increase in pressure of the conduit fluid causes contacts 254 and 255 to approach or meet each other due to deflection of the capsule and so increases the amount of current which may be grounded out in this element.

Variation of temperature within the capsule changes the electrical resistance of the iluid contained therein with a resultant eiect upon the ow of current between the contacts provided they are separated.

A second effect of variation of temperature within the capsule is the ilexure of the bimetallicelement 253 holding the contact 250. This ilexure is a result of the diierential thermal expansion or contraction of the dissimilar metals composing the element 253, and by adjusting the distancey between the contacts produces an eifect upon the flow of current from the lead |09 to the ground.

A third eiect of variation of temperature in the capsule is the change of pressure of the uid in the capsule in relation to the conduit uid pressure., This in turn varies the distance between the contacts 25d and 255 by expanding or contracting the bellows, and produces a change in the current flowing between the contacts.

In Figure 6 is shown another modification of the resistance element of my control in side elevation. In Figure 7 is illustrated a plan view of the same device in section.

The device comprises a body 260 attached to the conduit in, an semmai insulator '26| clamped into the body, an electrical binding post 262 retained by the insulator, and a. paddle-like extension 263 of the binding post, surrounded by preferably granular resistance material 265 such as carbon contained in a flattened metallic capsule 26d. 'Ihe capsule is hermetically sealed to the body 260.

The granular resistance material is varied in its electrical resistance by thermal effectsv and also by pressure imposed upon it. Fluid pressure within the conduit ||l tends to llatten the metal capsule and so compress the resistance material.

Electric current is grounded out in the metal capsule 264 alfter having entered the binding post and having passed through the resistance material. y

In Figure 8 I have shown a modified form of the resistance element of my control, sensitive tc three different iiuids. A body |60 is sealed to a metallic elastic capsule |62 enclosing an electrical resistance iluid. Some contacts |63 and suie and a binding post |66. An electrical insulator |68 nxes the binding post within the body.

A tube |61 containing.- a first fluid such as steam, another tube |68 containing a second uid such as feed water, and iins |69 thermally related to the conditions of a third uid such/as flue gas surrounding the two aforementioned -tubes and the device, are in thermal contact with the chamber |6I into which the resistance element is projected. The fluid within the chamber I6I is that of the tube |61, since a duct |18 provides communication to the interior of the tube |61.

The resistance element as utilized in Figure 8 is responsive to the iirst fluid pressure in .the tube |61 and is responsive to the thermal conditions and relative rates of flow of the first, second, and'l third uids.. The device may be used to regulate the flcw of any or all of the three fluids to establish and maintain related thermal conditions or rates of flow between them in a manner which will be described later in this specification in the steam powerplant shown in Figure 11. Electric current grounded out between the contacts |63 and |64 if they are touching each other, or grounded out in passing.

through the fluid between the contacts if they are separated, is used to operate appropriate mechanisms, preferably those disclosed in Figures 10, 12 and 13, for controlling the relative ilow of the `iiuids. The distance -between the contacts |63 and |64 depends upon the deflection of the elastic metal capsule |62. A high pressure in the tube |61 will tend to reduce the distance between the contacts, or to make them touch. 'I'his results in an abrupt increase of conductivity of the device.

A high temperature of the iiuid such as mercury vapor within the capsule will tend to force thecontacts apart through the expansion of the uid within the capsule. The electrical conduc- 'tivity between the contacts varies in accordance with the temperature, pressure and Physical state of the fluid in the capsule.

' InFigure 9 is shown a plan section of Figure 8."

I do not limit myself to the form of the electrical element of my control as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, and 9 to provide a new and useful method of control of fluids in conduits.

In Figure 11 is shown diagrammatically a steam power plant utilizing the control of my invention.

'Ihe boiler comprises a boiler casing 39 enclosing an economizer section 22, an evaporation zone 23, and a super-heater 24. The feed liquid is supplied from a tank 6| through a conduit I4 to a centrifugal feed water pump 4I6 which delivers water under pressure to the economizer inlet check valve I8. A ilow control valve 62 (shown in larger scale in Figure 10) is placed between the economizer 22 and the evaporation zone 23. After passing the check valve the feed water enters the boiler at region I9 and is brought into thermal contact with the resistance element 63 (illustrated in section on a larger scale in Figures 8 and 9) at the tube |68. The feed water is thenconducted through a tube 28 to an economizer inlet 2|. The feed liquid progresses through the economizer 22, the ow control valve 62, the boiler evaporation zone 23, and the superheater 24, vchanging in 'state and again coming into thermal contact with the resistance element 63 at the tube |61. l

The steam formed then continues through the superheater to a boiler-outlet 26. A form of turbine I. Power is delivered from the turbine I through a propeller shaft 6. The expanded steam exhausted from the turbine emerges at a duct 4 andis conducted along apipe 9 to an exhaust turbine 6,and is iinally discharged from an exhaust 8. The power outputof the exhaust turbine is transmitted along a shaft I3 for the operation of the feed water pump I6, along'a shaft I2 for the rotation of a centrifugal airblower 38, along a shaft II for the actuation of a centrifugal fuel pump 29, and along a shaft I8 for the rotation of a constant voltage electric generator 21. The air supply for the blower 38 enters an inlet 3| and is discharged past a damper 51 (which is also illustrated on a larger scale in Figure 12) into a draft duct 32 leading into a collection chamber 33. The air passes through tangential louvres 69 in a conical plate 34 to a boiler combustion chamber 36. The combustion .gases sweep the boiler tube in a space 36 and are iinall'y discharged from a flue 31. A resistance element 61 (illustrated in larger scale in Figure l) is placed in thermal relationship with the air in the blower inlet 3|.-

Fuel from a storage tank 68 is admitted to the fuel pump 29 along an inlet duct 28 and discharged along conduit 63 past a resistance element 18 (illustrated inlarger scale in Figure 1) and along conduit 64 to the fuel control solenoids |18. This fuel nomrle assembly is illustrated in section on a larger scale in Figure 13.

The electrical system comprises the following: 'I'he electric generator 21 is grounded on a lead 48 and delivers current along a lead 4| to a bar 44.y A switch 42 may be thrown to the bar 44 to cause connection with a lead 46 toa storage battery 4s which is grounded by a lead 41. A

switch 82 may be brought into engagement with the bar 44 to energize a lead 48 from which current is conducted along a lead 89to a terminal 3II in a damper contactbox 2. 'I'his current emerges from a terminal 3I8 and passes along a lead 98, branching along a lead 6I to a terminal |81 of the electric control solenoids |19 of the fuel nozzle, and branching along a lead 9| to a primary coil 66 of a sparky coil466. This latter current is grounded out in a lead 92. High tension electricity is induced in a secondary coil 63 and is conducted along a lead 69 to a sparking plug 68 located in the combustion chamber 36 for the ignition of the fuel spray. l

The portion of the current which has entered the terminal |81 in the solenoid |19 emerges in part from a terminal |86 to be carried along a lead 66 and grounded out in the resistance element 61, and also emerges in part from a terminal |86 to be conducted along a lead 66 to the resistance element 18 in the fuel line.

In the electrical system controlling the air supply to the boiler, current is carried along the lead 48 to a terminal 88|, where it is used to actuate a damper solenoid 391. 'Ihe current then enters a lead 62 from a terminal 382 andis grounded in the electrical resistance element 64.

In: the electrical system controlling the economizer water current flows from the lead 48 along a lead 48 to the terminal ||8 through the solenoid |81 and out the terminal I I8. It thenv travelsv along lead 68 to be grounded out in the and pressure eiect of the steam in theregion |61'act upon the electrical resistance 53 to allow a high current to ow in the circuit just described, then the flow of economizer water in the boiler will be shut off or reduced. However, if the resistance of the electrical element in the device 53 is high, then the economizer water ccntrol valve 52 will be opened due to the spring |33 overcoming the electro-magnetic force of the solenoid |01.

Accordingly an appropriate balance of boiler conditions will be established in relation to the discharge from the feed Water pump i5, andthe discharge of steam from the boiler outlet 25.

In Figure 13 is shown diagrammatically a large scale cross-sectional drawing of the electric fuel nozzle control solenoid |'|9.

The nozzle assembly comprises a fuel inlet |8i, a casing |84 subject to fuel pressure within, a spring 38 acting from the underside of the casing downward upon a plate 34 which holds the conical combustion plate 34 into position. Within the casing |84 is a solenoid coil |90 connected to the terminals |81 and |89, and also the solenoid |9| connected to the terminals |00 and |85. The solenoids and 9| are coaxial and surround an iron plunger |92 which is shorter than the total axial length of the two solenoid coils. A stem |82 projects from the core |92 and forms a pintle-type nozzle with a seat |83.

When the stem is seatedand the nozzle closed, the magnetic center of the plunger |92 is nearer the magnetic center of solenoid coil |9i. When the stem |82 is fully raised off theseat |83 the.

plunger |92 exists at a point nearer the magnetic center of the solenoid |90.

The regulation of the fuel system now is as follows: If the flow from the centrifugal fuel pump Z9 exceeds that which is required from the centrifugal airblower 30, then the amount of current being grounded out in the electrical resistance device 'l0 will be proportionately larger than the amount being grounded out in the electrical resistance device 6l. This causes a stronger magnetic attraction in the electrical solenoid |9| than in the solenoid |90. According, the magnetic center of the plunger |92 is drawn away from the magnetic center of the solenoid |90 and toward that of the solenoid |9|, tending to close off the space for injection between the stem |92 and the seat |83.

If on the other hand, the flow of fuel through the fuel conduit 84 is less than the amount of air owing through the draft duct 32 for the fulfills ment of a proper air-to-fuel ratio, then the magnetic center of plunger |92 will be drawn upward toward the magnetic center of the solenoid |90 and away from that of the solenoid 9| This causes an opening of the space between the stem |82 and the seat |83.

In this manner the electrical resistance elements 'l0 and 81 cause a relative ow of current in the electric solenoids |90 and |9| which will establish the desired air-to-fuelratio.

In Figure 12 is shown a diagrammatic section of the damper assembly 399 on a larger scale. A piston valve 3|9 is adapted to slide along a spindle 3|1 blocln'ng off or giving any desired degree of opening to the blower outlet 398. A spring 3|5 tends to keep the valve 3|9 in closed position through reaction on shoulder 3|6. A chamber 3|3 is under an air pressure equal to that of the blower discharge pressure when an orifice 301 is kept closed by a disc 396. However, when the disc 396 has been forced ofi the oriflce 301 by the electro-magnetic action of the solenoid 391 upon a plunger 304, then air from the space 3|3 is allowed to escape through the orifice 301 and an orice 305 in the solenoid casing 33. This causes an unbalanced pressure to act upon the piston 3|9, compressing the spring 3| 5 and opening the blower outlet 398. The solenoid 395 is connected to the terminals 30| and 302. In the end of the chamber 391 is a contact box 2 comprising a contact 394 mounted upon the terminal 3|| through a leaf spring 393. An electrically insulated projection 322 of the disc 396 strikes the spring 393 and causes the contact 394 to strike the contact 39| on the terminal 3|0 when the plunger 304 has been forced electromagnetically to raise the disc 398 oil the orifice 301.

Accordingly, if the solenoid 391 has become electrically actuated to open the outlet 398 of f -the blower 30, then the circuit between the terminals 3|0 and 3H becomes closed allowing the fuel flow to commence, and the ignition current to be established for the ignition of the fuel.

Other functional details of the steam power plant shown in Figure 1l are as follows: The switch 42 may be closed upon bar 94 allowing current to flow from battery 46 along lead 45 and lead 4| to the electric generator 2l, and after passing therethrough to be grounded out in the lead 90. This causes the fuel pump 29, the airblower 30, and the water pump |5 to pump their respective fluids centrifugally. The switch 92 is then closed upon bar lll and current is caused to flow also along lead 4'8 to contact 30| in the damper solenoid 391 and out the terminal 302 along the lead 62 to be grounded out in the electrical resistance element 54. This element 59 allows a large amount of current sucient to open the damper, to be grounded out when its temperature is low in value and a small amount of current incapable of holding the damper open when its temperature is beyond a predetermined value. The element 54 is therefore thermally responsive to conditions in the outlet 25 for a conv trol of the opening and closing of the damper.

In Figure 14 is illustrated diagrammatically a utilization of the device of my invention as a meter for uid in a container i.

The electrical circuit includes a storage battery 8 or other appropriate means for electrical supply of constant voltage, an electric switch 9 connected thereto by a lead l, and an electrical resistance element 2 connected to the switch by a lead 5. The electrical circuit is completed by an ammeter I0 connected to the battery by a lead 9, and to the electrical resistance element by a lead i..

The electrical resistance element 2 is retained in a body 3 by an insulator 4. The body is attached to the container i so that the electrical resistance element 2 is immersed in the container uid.

When the electric switch 6 is closed, current of the vamount indicated in the ammeter I0 flows through the element 2 heating the element and causing it to contribute heat to the container fluid. 'Ihe ability of the container fluid to absorb this heat determines lthe temperature which the element 2 assumes.

The ow of current, which is indicated in the ammeter, is dependent upon the magnitude of the electrical resistance of the element I0, and this resistance is in turn dependent upon the temperature which the element has assumed. y

'I'he ability of thecontainer iluid to absorb heatfrom the element l is a function of the condition of the iluid. Such condition of the fluid may include among other factors, change of state, rate of flow, quantity storage, temperature. specific heat, latent heat, thermal conductivity, permeability to radiation, or length of time during which the iiuid in the container has been supplied with heat from the element i0.

The ammeter lli, therefore, representsa device which is responsive in a pre-determined way to any one or to a combination of several oi the mentioned factors, its response being useful solely as a visual indication or as a controlling factor for regulating instrumentalities. Under most conditions the resistance element 2 is arranged to be exothermic, that is, to give oil heat to its surroundings, but under some conditions this predetermined portion 2 of the electric circuit can be endothermic, that is to absorb heat from its surroundings, all for the purpose of producing an electrical variation in the circuit bearing some definite relationshillio` a selected condition affecting caloric dissemination.

1. A control system comprising a container, means for supplylng'feed liquid to the inlet ofv said container, an electrical resistance element thermally associated with the fluid inside of said container, means for supplying said element with electrical current, to elevate the temperature of said element substantially above that of said :duid to produce heat of electrical resistance to' be extracted from said element by said fluid, characteristic variation of the electrical resistance of said element in accordance with the rate of extraction of said heat by said fluid, and means for controlling said feed 'supplying means in accordance with the current flowing through said element.

2. A iiow control device comprising a first fluid iiowing in a rst conduit, a second fluid ilowing in a second conduit, a iirst electrical resistance element in heat contributing relationship to said ilrst fluid, and varied in electrical resistance in relation to the rate of heat contribution to said first fluid, a second electrical resistance element in heat contributing relationship to said second iiuid, and varied in electrical resistance in relation to the rate of heat contribution to said second iluid, and means controlled by the flow of current through said first and second electrical resistance elements for regulating the relative rates of flow of said first fluid and said second fluid.

3. A control device comprising a container for iiuld, having a first temperature range, a capsule thermally related to the iiuid in said container A at a second temperature range, an electrical resistance element in said capsule the physical state and in consequence the electrical resistance oi' said element changing abruptly under conditions imposed upon it by said uid, means for supplying electrical current to said resistance element, to produce a temperature difierential between said uid and said element, means for vvarying uid conditions in said container, and

means for regulating said varying means in accordance with the flow of current through said element. f

4. A control comprising a ilrst conduit for a working vapor and means `i'or controlling ilow therein, a second conduit for fuel for the formation of saidworking vapor and means for controlling the now therein, 'a third conduit for air 75 for combustion of said fuel and means for controlling flow therein, some electrical resistance elements responsive to heat absorbing conditions in said conduits, and at temperature levels substantially higher than ythe temperature levels of the fluids in said conduits, means for supplying current to said elements, thereby maintaining said higher temperature levels by addition of heat of electrical resistance and means responsive to the flow of current through said elements for regulating said iiow controlling means.

5. A control comprising a container for a iiuid, an electrical resistance element at a temperature substantially different from that of said fluid adjacent thereto and responsive to conditions in said container, characteristic variation of temperature difference between said fluid and said element by conditions of said fluid extraneous of the temperature of said uid, an electric circuit for supplying current to said element,and means subject to electrical induction eects in said circuit for controlling conditions in said container.

6. A control comprising a tube for air, a conduit for fuel for burning with s aid air, some elements being heated by resistance to ow of current and delivering 'heat to said tube and said conduit, at rates dependent upon the respective mass flows in said tube and said conduit, means for supplying said current to said elements, at a substantially constantl potential and means for controlling the relative flow of the iluids in said tube and said conduit in accordance with the relative amount of current owing in said elements.

7. A control comprising a tube containing .a relatively cool fluid, means for regulating flow in said tube, a relatively hot body thermally related to said fluid and being supplied energy from `a. flowing current, means for controlling said means for regulating flow in accordance with the thermal conditions in said body affecting the receptivity of said body to said energy.

8.A control system comprising a container, means for causing flow of fluid in said container, an electrical resistance element in heat delivering relationship to the fluid inside of said container, means for supplying said element with electrical current, and means for controlling said means for causing ilow in accordance with said current varied in proportion to said delivering in a container, for controlling a supply of feed-` fluid to said container in accordance with the variation oi electrical qualities of said element. 11. A control system comprising a resistance for heat contribution to a coolant, a displacer for producing relative motionbetween said resistance and said coolant,'means for supplying electrical power to said resistance atal substantially constant potential, said resistance further characterized by ability to absorb said power -t a rate dependent upon the heat absorption therefrom by said coolant, and means for controlling said displacer in accordance with said rate.

12. A control system comprising a fluid ow system with supply instrumentalities for maintaining desired conditions therein, a critical zone at a relatively low temperature level in said flow system, a vaporimeter supplied heat by electrical resistance and 'located in said critical zone, said vaporimeter operated in a'relatively high temperature range,. and means sensitive to the temperature level of said vaporimeter for regulating said instrumentalities. f

13. A control system comprising apparatusfor comparing relative heat absorbing capabilities of a plurality of iluid flow systems by delivering heat to said flow systems through an electrical resistance in each, means for connecting the resistances to an electric supply, and means for relatively controlling said flow systems in accordance with the relative flow of current in said resistances.

14. A control system comprising a uid ow system, an energized electrical circuit of a control motor for supply instrumentalities of said flow system, said circuit connected to a conductor thermally related to a portion of said yflow system, and a substantial temperature gap between said conductor and said portion, said gap varying in magnitude in accordance with fluid conditions in said portion.

15. A control system comprising a fluid system to be conditioned, an electrical control motor for means for conditioning said iluid system, an electrical conductor thermally related to said iluid system, means for supplying said motor and said conductor with a current thereby relating said motor to said conductor and producing a temperature gap between said conductor and said uid system, said gap varying in accordance with the pressure in said uid system.

16. A control system for a iluid ow course comprising a conduit, pumping means for driving uid through said conduit, a capsule in said conduit and containing an electrical conducting material, said capsule subject to deflection thereby causing said conducting material to be subject to variable compression in accordance with fluid pressure in said conduit, means for causing said material to be thermally responsive to conditions in said conduit, means for supplying said material with current, and means for regulating said pumping means by said current.

17. In combination an electrical conductor heated by passage of electrical current and varied in conductance in accordance with the temperature produced therein, means for thermally relating said conductor to an intermediate region in aserial uid flow system such that during a first uid ow criterion in said region a first temperature and a rst rate of said passage of current ensue in said conductor, said means further relating said conductor to said region such that during a second fluid ow criterion in said region a second temperature and a second rate of said passage of current result in said conductor, and means for controlling a supply instrumentality of said iiuid flow system in accordance with the rate of said passage of current to affect said criterion in said region.

'NA'mAN c. PRICE. 

